U.S. airlines are about to have a massive problem hiring enough pilots to fill their ranks

- Nov 12, 2012 12:01 am

Skift Take

A change in FAA regulations will raise the barriers of entry to commercial flying right at time when there are significantly fewer applicants. Flights to small towns will be the first on the chopping block.

— Samantha Shankman

Share

Tweet

Share

Post

Send

U.S. airlines are facing what threatens to be their most serious pilot shortage since the 1960s, with higher experience requirements for new hires about to take hold just as the industry braces for a wave of retirements.

Federal mandates taking effect next summer will require all newly hired pilots to have at least 1,500 hours of prior flight experience—six times the current minimum—raising the cost and time to train new fliers in an era when pay cuts and more-demanding schedules already have made the profession less attractive. Meanwhile, thousands of senior pilots at major airlines soon will start hitting the mandatory retirement age of 65.

Another federal safety rule, to take effect in early 2014, also will squeeze the supply, by giving pilots more daily rest time.

Serious about airlines? Subscribe to Skift Airline Weekly to get the strongest business insights in the world of commercial aviation